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Basilica of ECCE Homo (the Monastery of the sisters of Zion)

The Catholic Basilica of ECCE Homo (Latin for "behold the Man") at the monastery of the sisters of Zion episode dedicated to the new Testament: Pontius Pilate brings the beaten Christ to the people. The Evangelist John writes: "Pilate went forth again and said unto them: behold, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no fault in Him. Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And he said to them, Pilate: behold the Man!" (Jn 19:4-5). Perhaps the Governor hoped that the Jews, who wanted to release at Easter is not Jesus and Barabbas will change your mind. However, the priests continued to demand that Jesus was crucified, and Pilate gave in.

The Basilica stands on the via Dolorosa. Over the street an arch, one end of which is part of the temple, also called ECCE Homo. It has long been believed that here was the pavement - paved lofty place, which was located at the judgment seat. Modern archaeologists don't agree with it, but for pilgrims walking on the via Dolorosa way of the cross of Jesus is not important the exact coordinates. ECCE Homo is located at the second station of the way of the Cross where Christians remember the laying of the cross on Jesus.

Entrance from the via Dolorosa leads to the Basilica itself and to the glass wall, through which to view the interior of the Church. Inside the Basilica would have looked sternly, if not for the bright gilding where suitable arch ECCE Homo. To still get to the Church, it is necessary to enter the territory of the monastery from the side streets, which is named after the nuns of the sisters of Zion.

The monastery was built in 1857 by Marie-Alphonse Ratisbon by. A French Jew, a fierce atheist, Ratisbon was baptized and became a Jesuit and a priest after his vision of the virgin Mary. He built monastic buildings, the Church and the orphanage for girls, and later the nuns bought some neighboring houses.

In the process of excavation there were discovered the Roman stone slabs. For some time, they were considered by the Pavement, which judged Jesus, but it is now known that this is a later paving, Dating from the II century, as the arch of ECCE Homo. On ancient plates made (probably by the soldiers of the Emperor Hadrian) notches - blank games. The monastery also houses other artifacts found during the excavations.

Also, tourists are interested in pool of Stration - an ancient reservoir for rainwater, built by Herod the Great in I century BC, Stration was discovered directly beneath the monastery. The water's there, but the pool is covered with stone wall. It was built by the nuns, when the tunnels of the Western wall, part of which is the pool opened to visitors. Now, Stration can be seen from two sides - from the tunnels and the monastery of the sisters of Zion.

In the monastery there is a modest but cozy guest house. Staying there tourists can climb to the terrace on the roof with coffee and unforgettable views of the Old town.